November 6, 2013

I get asked quite frequently, “How do you manage everything?” As I have mentioned before, balance is a mythical word to me. If I am ahead on work it usually means my house is a mess and dinner is not made. If my house is perfectly together, it usually means I am behind on work. Working from home is always a give and take, a push and a pull, and usually there is no such thing as balance. HOWEVER, it might help some of you to shed some light on how I have found a way to make it work for our family. It is different for everyone, but for now in this phase of our life, this is what works.

6:30 AM – Feed Max and snuggle closely (he falls back asleep), get up, get myself dressed. If I am dressed, I can face the day with more energy. Its a necessary mental trick. Then I give myself a pep talk in the mirror… Jk. Gabe is already up and he wakes up little Gabriel for school and gets him going. He gets himself ready and packs himself a snack (such an independent 4 year old thanks to some consistent practice!)

7:00 AM – The boys leave for school/work. Veronica wakes up and we have breakfast together.

7:15 AM- Pull out the Melissa & Doug toys, puzzles, and books for Veronica. She loves to read and cuddle on the couch so this is usually when I catch up and answer emails.

8:00 – Max wakes up and Veronica dotes on him for a long while and I let them have time together.

8:30 – Feed Max and do my ten minute morning prayer at the same time. (Another game changer for the day)

8:45 – Go over blog post written the night before, publish, and post to social media. Schedule social media posts, answer more emails. Veronica watches one of her favorite shows during this time. Max is chilling next to me. Sometimes he will fall asleep for a nap.

9:30 – I use the chunk of the morning to either run errands (Store, post office, etc. ), OR playdates with other friends. Veronica does so much better behavior wise if I give her that uninterrupted time.

11:00 – Picking up around the house, clean, and address any other messy situation. Change diapers, etc. V attempts to help and creates bigger messes. Max will chill or nap in his Mamaroo.

11:45 – Leave to pick up Gabriel from school.

12:15 – Feed the kids lunch, talk about Gabriel’s day, take them outside, or encourage them to play inside. I am usually feeding Max again as well.

1:00 pm – Put all three kids down for a nap (this is the miracle of the current situation).

During this time is my main chunk of work time. I am at my desk planning out ideas, sending emails, photo editing, writing, photo shooting, etc. This is when the majority of my productivity happens and I am most creative. I used to be a morning person but since I would rather be focused on the kids when they are awake, this is second best.

4 pm – Kids wake up, and eat snack, construct buildings, build forts, draw endless amounts of faces… That sort of thing. I pick up around the house because if you have little ones you know how by mid-day it can look like someone shook it upside down. More diaper changes.

5:00 – I start to make dinner if it is not a crockpot dinner. This is the low point of the day when kids are not their best and everyone is hungry. This is when all my creativity as a mother has to come out to distract them until daddy comes home. I have done desperate things at this time;)…

5:30 – Gabe comes home and its everyone’s favorite moment. We all compete for his attention as he tries to catch his breath from a long day at work. He usually takes a minute to unwind. I shoot him some food. He then takes over parenting duty. (Its a team sport over here;)) He usually takes them for a walk or to the park while I finish dinner and get it on the table.

6:00 – We all sit down and eat and it is never short of an entertaining experience.

6:45- Gabe and I tag team the kitchen and the kids.

7:00 – Everyone chills. Kids play, Gabe catches up on the news, Max eats (again), and maybe a family stroll. I also will head out to work at a cafe if there are projects due and Gabe manages bed time. (I couldn’t accomplish much without him!)

8:00 – Bedtime routine tackled by both Gabe and I. (Feed Max again during this time.) Books, prayers, and hugs.

8:30 – I go to work again. I prepare the post for the next day, prepare any projects due, and do another round of social media. I have been using this time to develop content for The Brand Market as well.

9:30 – I try to cut off by this point so Gabe and I can have some time together to unwind. So important and we both look forward to it. Its necessary and valued!

11 – Crash hard.

This is the rough breakdown of our day with variations of course. Our schedule changes almost every few months based on the phases my children are in. Even right now, I am posting in the afternoon due to a difficult morning with my feisty 2 yr. old;) If there is a heavy work load, I call for re-inforcements! I have no problem hiring a babysitter when I need a catch up morning. This happens about every other week, and I have a wonderful gal who comes to stay with Veronica and Max if I have a photoshoot or a meeting. Looking forward, due to the new business and managing IHOD, I will most likely hire help to manage emails since this is the thing that takes the majority of my time to keep up with.

I often reach burn out and have days where Veronica watches too much tv or we eat out one too many times in a week, but I have learned not to feel guilty and just remind myself that supermom is not a person I am willing to chase. The only mother I compare myself to is my own mother, because I would love to be half the woman she is.

At the end of the day, I just want my husband and children to be most loved and tended to…over my emails and laundry. I fail at this over and over but it will always be my main goal and motivation. If they can associate home with happiness and love, than I have succeeded in balancing many hats. I am not looking to be the most successful blogger, designer, entrepreneur, etc. I measure success by the tone of our household, and how we are all treating each other. If I am on edge, the kids pick up on it and respond the same. If I am offering a warm voice and warm meals, everyone is happy. So if this means giving up some big opportunities so as not to stretch myself too thin or take too much time away, I am okay with that. At the end of my life, I am not going to be asked if I was on Martha Stewart or not (wink wink), but I know I will be accountable for the well being of my family and how much love I put into my role as a mother and a wife.

So there you have it! How do you try to manage your day? Tips? I will always take them!

thanks for sharing Anna! I’m in the midst of my naptime workmode at the moment as well 😉 (which was in rare form today; half the days this is not as successful). I really appreciate your comments at the bottom: “I measure success by the tone of our household, and how we are all treating eachother” YES. Mama sets the tone and mood for everyone, and it’s tough to stay happy. but remembering to take each moment and every feeding and mess as a blessing is so helpful! *hugs* love you!

I love peeking into the day of someone I admire! I must say, I’ve often wondered how you do it. I don’t even have kids yet and I’m struggling to keep up with my blog, though I do have a regular ol’ 9-5 job. But still. I can’t even manage to get up a little earlier or stay up a little later these days! You are pretty phenomenal!

Enjoyed this post! No kids here yet but I was a full time nanny for 3 years so I somewhat understand managing kids all day, I say somewhat because I never want to sound like I understand motherhood just because I was a nanny :). I do need to get more of a schedule in my day to day blogging. Thanks for sharing!

This could not be more perfect, or more perfectly timed. I have an almost 3-month old and just started back with work, and will be working from home. It’s so great to see how others do it… We found a wonderful sitter as I have clients that can be a bit demanding, so I’m learning when to ask for help and how to balance this new role as mom, while keeping up with being a wife, designer and overall happy person. I love your blog, it already was an inspiration, even more now as I see how much more I can relate to you and learn from you. Thank you! (types the mom cradling her little love as her baby snoozes)

This was a great post! I always wonder how busy bloggers like yourself balance all those spinning plates, and so elegantly (at least from the outside, haha) at that. Cheers to you for putting family first!

Anna, Our days seem similar in the act of juggling but you add one more kiddo to the mix- bravo you are an awesome lady! Also, I know I’m a little late but so awesome that you were on mathastewart.com!!!! xo, Amy

As a mother I can relate to the constant, always changing, juggle of a day with kids (but I don’t have a business to run). You have your hands full (in the best way) and I love how you said “At the end of the day, I just want my husband and children to be most loved and tended to…over my emails and laundry.” Such a great mama you are. Thanks for sharing this!

All I have learned when trying to find balance, is that she is an elusive shadow that I will be forever chasing. And that’s ok! It looks different for all of us.. and if we need a little take-out and tv watching, then so be it. 😉

I love this Anna! It was so wonderful to meet your sweet family last week too 🙂

I can totally relate with your typical day, mine looks a lot like that except both my kids go to school so I do have a few kid-free hours. I admire all that you accomplish during nap time, that’s pretty amazing!

This is a great post and I love your take on keeping up with so many different things to juggle! It seems like you are doing a GREAT job of balancing it all and keeping your priorities where they should be. Good for you 🙂

Aw, such a great post! You juggle your work/life balance so well! I completely know how difficult that is, but how much greater it must be while having a family! It’s always something to work on, but I love how you’re making it an effort to balance everything the best way that you can and making sure your family gets your full attention during those designated times – and of course, you totally deserve those “off” days!!!

I really enjoyed reading a out your day. I’m a stay at home mom of two boys. Both are in school. I do miss the times that there were home with me. But after school is when it gets chaotic. Mix in homework, karate, soccer practice, swim lessons, therapy sessions. It’s tough but we manage.

I would seriously love to work for you. I’m an inbox-zero genius. Now I’m kicking myself… I had an email waiting for you in my drafts about how impressed I am with everything you do for your family, your blog, and for the blogging community. Okay… proofing it and sending it mañana!

Thank you so much for sharing this! So timely for me as I am getting ready to launch a new blog/website and I had a super stressful, testy afternoon. I am a new mom, an almost 6 month old, and she is INCREDIBLY happy and easy, but the guilt is where I am struggling…I agree, if I am caught up on work, dinner is rushed and I feel I am doing a bad job as a wife. I always try to put 100% attention into baby, no screens at all during day, but today I was really behind on e-mails and such. Hubby is my hero and helps out immensely as soon as he gets home. Still trying to figure out a rhythm so I admire you so much who has THREE kiddos and a thriving business! Such a role model. Oh, and one reason I am launching a new site is to incorporate more and challenge myself more in that very arena of life balance…and time for prayer- very good point! Thanks truly! An admirer…

You’re a supermom in my book! Your kids are all sweet, smart, well adjusted kids. It’s evident that you and Gabe are still very much in love, your home is lovely, and you run 2 businesses. You’re one of my mommy heroes for sure! I look up to you in many many ways.

You can’t see it, but I’m raising my arms and bowing down to you. 😉 I work at the design office while my son’s at school. When we get home, I try to use those few hours to work on my jewelry since that’s about the only time I have to work on it. If we have to go to the store, then nothing gets done. Lol- you know Atlanta traffic…I try to get any errands done before traffic goes crazy! Then I like to have dinner ready for when my Gabe gets home. After clean up, showers, etc…I’m too tired to get much of anything else done.

As your kids get older, they will be a great help with chores around the house. My son has taken on a good chunk of the afternoon chores, which is fabulous. But, he’s also at such a precious age just before that tween stage. He’s my best buddy & wants to chat my ear off over every little thing. He is a major momma’s boy & doesn’t like letting me have personal time (sometimes, I like to take my long, sweet time in the shower just for the peace and quiet)! Soon, he’s not going to want anything to do with me..so I try to give him my attention as much as possible for now!

there are few women in this world who I really admire and look up to. I have a lot of women i respect and love, but few who I can say, “wow, i really admire the work you do and I aspire to be like you one day”

i really needed to see this today! i am due next month with my first and i’m already having some anxiety about having/not having a schedule. this reminded me that it IS okay to skip laundry and vacuuming sometimes…as long as i have a happy family that is taken care of and knows i love them 🙂 thank you so much for this!

I love you and hate you for this 😉 I’ve been sooo struggling with the balancing act of being a stay-at-home mom trying to be a full-time blogger (and etsy shop owner) on the side (I thought it impossible but you just proved me wrong), and I am so so so encouraged by your post! I often think that I really want to work hard on my blog/brand and make it ‘big’ (whatever that means), just to show my daughter (and potential future kids) that mommy can do it. But I’m now realizing that at the end of the day, family is what matters the most. I need to focus more time on them and live in the moment with them instead of being on some social media outlet all the time. Your post just really hit it out of the park for me. Thank you! xx

Feeling inspired by this post to make more time at night for my love. We both use the time after the kids go to bed to catch up on business/projects/farm work but spending quality time needs to move to the top of our list. Thanks for the encouragement! 🙂

Such an awesome post..I think I am equally busy but with many variations. I have only one kid who is 2 yr old and don’t sleep till 11 pm and a day job + daily commute that takes around 13 hrs altogether with exercise, cooking, cleaning and sleep managed along with my blogging occupying their own timelines in a day. Coming to time management, I must say not being too hard on yourself and keeping aside some ME time and loads of good music will help a lot. Good luck for your Brand Market too dear.

This was fun to see what a day in the life is like for you! I love everything you said about how your husband and kid’s happiness is your ultimate goal! Way to go momma! But seriously, do your kids nap for 3 hours straight?!?!? SO lucky!! 😉

So beautiful, Anna! That balancing act is so hard to come by, but this magical phase when all three nap (mine do too!) helps me gear up for round two! Sometimes in the middle of a bedtime, I imagine all the families who are striving for the same peace and harmony amidst the chaos and smile because there is a sense of solidarity there, I’ll say a prayer for you next time 🙂 Thanks, again, for sharing!!

So real and honest. You must be the best multi tasker on the planet because I would never be able to get as much done as you do with three kiddos, nap times and all. Cheers to that 🙂 And for always being such an inspiration! xo

Thank you for this post! Im writing now when my 11month old baby finally got to sleep. It really provided me some power:) as working from home, for wall decals and invitation designs, even with 1 kid could be difficult but seeing your schedule i feel a releif. And see that it is still ppssible to have a working life with 1+…kidos! I pray that your family will always have peace and love; and us – readers to have many more posts from you!

you’re amazing my friend. so admirable! I am struggling so much right now getting ANYTHING done on our current no sleep. maybe your next day in the life post should be, How I Get My Baby To Sleep Through The Night 😉

Thanks so much for posting this Anna! You have such a beautiful perspective on motherhood and the balancing act that is life. It was so fun to read this little peek into your daily life! Thanks again for sharing!

I adored this Anna. As a fellow mum working from home so much of this resonated with me, it really can be so overwhelming sometimes (I’m actually having one of those days today – ten tabs open and working in all of them at once, sheesh) but you are right, family is the constant. Thank you for your great advice as always and for sharing such a honest peek into your life! Love you! xo

Too bad you do not live in Brazil. Here hiring help is considered a necessity for a working woman. It is a cultural thing. It works nicely for everyone. Now that my kids are grown, I don’t have full time help, but a cleaning person, whom I consider a friend that cleans my house in exchange for $. That means that for a 5 day week (in different houses) she makes twice as much as a salesperson who works 6 days a week.

You more than deserve a babysitter. Your creative work is wonderful. I wish you all the best.

i’ve always been so curious how full-time bloggers and mamas plan their day! all of the potential, structure less freedom sounds tempting..i’d probably be SO off task all day. i applaud your discipline and commitment! this is awesome.

Your post was inspiring and also amazing. I only have one baby and working from home is so HARD even at part time. I’m usually so exhausted by the time he goes down for a nap my brain is mussy! Sounds like you have a good plan and a lot of drive!

This post was so refreshing. Often times we feel guilty when one part of our world rules the other (ie work, career, aspirations, being a good mom, role model and wife). I really enjoyed seeing a day in your life. Thanks for sharing!

I really enjoyed reading this post! I’m a new mommy, and still trying to figure out my new routine. I am an organizing and clean control neat freak! I’m trying to learn that I’m in this new beautiful chapter in my life and I shouldn’t worry about that load of laundry that’s just been sitting there and just enjoy moments with my family. You may not think you are super mom, but after reading this post, you are down right close! 🙂

Rachel, thank you so much for the kind note! I am still learning how to be okay with constant messes. It’s not easy! ha! Routine will come. Sometimes it takes a while, but I am sure you will find one that is right for your family:) xx

I’ve just found your blog, Anna, through your Blog Society Q&A! I love this post. It’s a juggle I’m really struggling with but I feel so calm and inspired after reading your words. I love how you measure success by the tone of your household! Writing that one down! Bex x

Just found your blog while searching for home office inspiration on Pinterest and absolutely love the post! So re-assuring that there are other mothers out there that have stopped chasing the elusive work/life balance!

Dear goodness, THANK YOU for this post. I know I’m a little late to the game with it, but you have painted a beautiful and realistic portrait of what it looks like to work from home and still be an engaged parent. And still be a normal person! Our schedule fluctuates a lot but looks freakishly like yours – this stay at home mom slash work from home writer/blogger gig is a seriously busy one! Though I don’t know you personally, I always feel inspired by your vulnerability and strength of character. This post just adds another layer of depth to what I see coming from you, as a reader. Thank you Anna! I hope your Easter was the greatest! xox

It’s funny that I’ll be transitioning within a few months from a WOHM (and a single one at that) to a married (WFHM) with a toddler, a 19 year old step-daughter, dog, cat and other older stepchildren who visit frequently. I thought my day was long now! geez – keep up the hard and good work and yes, the supermom myth is just that, a myth!

An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a co-worker who was conducting a little homework on this. And he in fact ordered me dinner because I found it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending the time to discuss this issue here on your web page.

I love this post. I too have difficulty figuring out how to juggle mommyhood and working mom. Even at this minute I was googling schedules of other work from home moms and I stumbled onto your website. I love what you said about not wanting to chase a supermom title and the only mom you want to compare yourself to is your own mom. I have two children under 3 and thinking of having another one, all while trying to start a blog and an etsy shop. You have truly inspired me. Thank you.